workflow for HDR footage that will be delivered Rec709

Hello all,

I've been handed some ProRes RAW HDR footage that needs to be graded and then delivered as ProRes 4:4:4:4 in Rec 709.  I usually grade in Resolve but decided to see if I could stay in raw and grade in FCP and have been impressed with the tools available.  But the exports are HDR by default and converting them to SDR ruins the grade.  I need these graded renders to look right inside existing non-HDR edit and graphics projects.  It's not an option to convert those project to HDR as there are tons of other elements already in place.

What's my best workflow here?  What I've tried:

- use HDR Tools inside FCP as the first effect, upstream of all other color adjustments - I can get this to look right, but then when I export, FCP defaults to HDR colorspace as that's how the Library is set

- transcode from HDR to SDR using compressor and ProRes 4:4:4:4 - see above, messes up the look

- change Library settings to SDR - can't figure out a way to make the HDR footage look right with this approach, using HDR Tools or any color settings, it's just whacked

- haven't tried converting to Cinema DNG so I can grade in Resolve, but that's my next step - but I would love to make FCP work somehow!

The real answer is - tell the team shooting the footage to shoot SDR, as that's how it's being used.  I can take that step if needed, but would like to figure out a path for the footage they've already shot.

Thanks so much for any advice!

Joe

Make sure the project properties are set to Rec 709.

Thanks, will give that a try.

jwmurray wrote:

...I've been handed some ProRes RAW HDR footage that needs to be graded and then delivered as ProRes 4:4:4:4 in Rec 709...But the exports are HDR by default and converting them to SDR ruins the grade. I need these graded renders to look right inside existing non-HDR edit and graphics projects. It's not an option to convert those project to HDR as there are tons of other elements already in place....

I don't know the exact answer in your case but the Apple white paper "HDR and Wide Color Gamut in Final Cut Pro" discusses this area under the subheading "Delivery to Multiple Color Spaces" (page 15):  www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/docs/HDR_WideColor.pdf

Thank you, very helpful.